Joseph F. “Joe” Gennaro, Sr., 86, of East Hartford, beloved husband of 65 years of Barbara (Schwager) Gennaro, peacefully entered into eternal life on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at his home with his loving family by his side. Born in Hartford on March 7, 1938, a son of the late Frank and Mary (Dominick) Gennaro, he had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 63 years. Prior to his retirement, Joe was a hardworking owner and operator of Gennaro Landscaping Co., Inc. in Bloomfield for 40 years.
Since age 5, Joe was a talented accordion player. He loved playing the accordion, singing, and entertaining his family and friends. He also liked dancing with his wife to polka music. He looked forward to watching movies (especially old Western movies), and was an avid reader of music, music books, and landscaping books. He was also an animal lover who had German Shepherd dogs. Recently, Joe regularly attended the New Testament Church in East Hartford where he made several new friends who were kind and helpful to him.
In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by a son, Joseph F. Gennaro, Jr. of East Hartford; a daughter, Katherine M. LaRosa and her husband Stephen of South Windsor; four special grandchildren, Anthony M. Gennaro and his wife Stefanie of Bloomfield, Joshua A. Gennaro and his significant other, Linda Savatdy, of Manchester, Olivia K. LaRosa of South Windsor, Nicholas S. LaRosa of South Windsor; two adored great-grandchildren, Zoe-Ann Gennaro of Bloomfield and Addalyn Gennaro of Manchester. He also leaves three brothers-in-law, Donald Schwager, Timothy Schwager, and William Schwager all of East Hartford; several nieces, nephews, cousins, former customers, and dear friends. Besides his parents, Joe was predeceased by a grandson, Joseph Frank Gennaro, III of East Hartford.
Funeral service will be Saturday (February 1st) at 10:30 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Friday (January 31st) from 4 – 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of CT, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. Joe’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to his special caregiver, Paulette Burke, for her professionalism, wisdom, love, care and comfort given to Joe and Joe’s entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com
